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Sep 22

Safety concerns on Brazilian BlowOut

Lately, we’ve had clients calling in and asking about Brazilian Keratin Treatment and the safety concerns regarding one particular brand called Brazilian BlowOut. We all know that this brand itself and the treatment procedure have received extensive coverage since the products were recalled last year, due to its allegedly high formaldehyde ingredient.

Extensive research has been conducted in the USA, particularly California (considered as one of the most stringent places when it comes to product safety and environmental protection) and have found that this brand itself is safe to use and contains NO formaldehyde.

However, one of the latest news about this was published in a paper in Australia on 29th August 2011 and we’d like to thank a client that brought this to our attention.

http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/haircare-company-recalls-toxic-straightening-product-20110828-1jgni.html

Right away we contacted the suppliers to help us shed some light on this and we’d like you to refer to their response below.

That reporter, Julia Medew, apparently quoted the wrong product name. It should be the In-Salon Treatment, Brazilian Blowout Açai Professional Smoothing Solution (which is also known as BB Original Solution), instead. The Açai Smoothing Serum which your customer has bought contains no formaldehyde (0%) or any kind of harmful substances. That particular product & the rest of the retail products are suitable for pregnant ladies. No product exchange or refund is needed. That’s a guaranteed. You are welcome to simply forward this email to your client.

Regarding the recall of the BB Original Solution in Australia, it was indeed recalled along with ALL other Keratin/Smoothing Treatments weeks ago. The Australian Government decided to simply ban this whole new category without doing any local lab tests. If they did, the article would become like……. “our local standard is 0.xxppm (parts per million) but the average figure of xx test results of brand xx was xx.xx ppm”. I think, somehow, they just read the proven misleading articles from the states when it was published in Sept 2010 then just banned it. No Governments would spend money on testing something which are not produced by their own citizens. Coincidentally, quite a no. of the Australian made Keratin/Smoothing Treatments like nanostraight (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nano-Straight/157729917604391) was banned in the USA too. Most of them even stopped production. Vice Versa, the BB Original Solution has been selling for almost 5 years.

The BB Original Solution is absolutely safe to use. It’s manufactured in the California where is one of the most stringent places on earth when it comes to Product Safety and Environmental Protection. Hundreds of premium hair salon in the states, particularly in the California, are still providing the BB Original Solution for their customers. It has never ever been banned by the California OSHA (Occupational & Safety Health Administration).

The formaldehyde exposure level of the BB Original Solution is 6 times below the standard of Federal OSHA. Pls refer to the attached file, you’ll also see how safe BB is when comparing to the formaldehyde percentage in human blood, apples, meat, fish……etc. Those figures were provided by a renowned Magazine called SOFW - Journal in 2009 (http://www.sofw.com/index/sofw_en/sofw_en_journal.html)

We do have other documents on hand citing the safety of the said products so it you’d like to read them and to appease your worries, just give us a call or email us any time.

While we do understand that reports about this may never stop, we hope that you won’t be misled by unfounded articles.

If you would like to personally speak to our stylists, drop us a line and we’ll book you in for a consultation.

Sep 19

3-week nail polish

Make-up No Comments »

Great news!!!

We are excited to tell you all that we’ve extended the launch price of our ultimate 3-week manicure/pedicure until the end of September.

For all the busy ladies who can’t always spare time to pamper themselves, this is the answer for you!

We also have 8 new dazzling Autumn-inspired shades so call us now at 28694408 or email us at info@paulgerrard.com to book your appointment.

GELeration manicure $300 (original value $350)

GELeration pedicure $600 (original value $650)

Tagged with: flawless nails • GELeration nails • hairdressing • high-gloss nail polish • hong kong • paul gerrard

Sep 12

Tame your mane

Hair, Product No Comments »

Whether you’re aiming for soft curls, sleek or tousled look this season, these products work like magic

Kevin Murphy

Hair Resort Beach texturizer adds incredible texture to fine hair, just like you’ve been at the beach all day.

Motion Lotion for beautiful soft curls without frizz.

Easy Rider Anti-frizz Crème is great for taming fly away hairs or for men who want soft control.

Açaí Smoothing Serum by Brazilian Blowout, conditions hair and seals the cuticle to lock-in moisture and lock-out frizz.

Speaking of conditioners, try out also our new range of spray-on Equave 2 Phase by Revlon Professional which contain a wide-spectrum of UVA/UVB filters that protect cuticle and slow down colour fade.

Perfect Summer Conditioner – as the name says, it is a perfect leave-in conditioner for sun-, sea salt- and chlorine-exposed hair.

Perfect Blonde Conditioner — this is more focused on natural blonde, coloured, bleached, grey or highlighted hair. Its active ingredients help neutralise brassy tones and enhance highlights.

Time to get MUKed!!!

Hair, Product No Comments »

MUK. a culture. a lifestyle. an attitude.

This Aussie haircare brand defies mainstream trend in hairstyling. With its hard core performance products that give you that extra modern edge and the provocative and naughty poster ads, no wonder this haircare brand is deemed as the next iconic brand.

Hilarious pop-up warning in Muk's website

But that’s not what grabbed people’s attention — it’s actually the cheeky names they came up with for their range…and yes, you definitely have to have a sense of humour for this brand.

On the plus side, each range has its distinctive fruity fragrance – from citrus orange, green apple and cantaloupe to the perfect mix of dessert, fruit salad!

Hard Muk: versatile but brutal hold styling mud. It has low sheen finish. Perfect for creating spikes and directions.

Filthy Muk: firm hold styling paste with gritty finish. Gives thickness and adds texture to fine

Rough Muk: flexible non-sticky hold. Perfect for creating texture, definition and movement.

Raw Muk: brutal holding power as Hard Muk but with a shine!

Deep Muk: shampoo, conditioner, soft treatment and leave-in conditioner for intense softness and shine, leaving hair silky soft and shiny.

Kinky Muk: curl amplifier & leave-in moisturiser for curly hair. Tames stubborn frizz and defines and nourishes natural curls.

Hot Muk: lightweight thermal protector & smoothing serum to protect hair against heat damage caused by hair styling tools.

Fat Muk: shampoo, conditioner & volumiser to pump up limp and fine hair.

Beach Muk: sexy beach hair in a bottle. Perfect for “surf” hair , giving you that tousled sultry look.

So if you’re a true non-conformist, a unique individual that wants to make a strong personal statement (and one that has a great sense of humour!) then Muk is definitely for you so come on in and try our craziest, most politically

incorrect products!

Tagged with: Aussie haircare brand • beach muk • conditioner • deep muk • fat muk • hairdressing • hard muk • hong kong • hot muk • kinky muk • leave-in treatment • Muk • paul gerrard • raw muk • rough muk • shampoo • styling products

Aug 09

Summer and oily skin

Hong Kong, Product, Skin Care 2 Comments »

Okay so we haven’t been really getting fabulous summer weather. But that’s just so typical of Hong Kong summer, though — rain, a burst of sunshine now and then, rain again, humid and of course the awful pollution! Needless to say, our skin suffers the most during these horrid summer months so I’ve written a few pointers on how to give your skin (especially oily-prone skin) the essential treatment to combat its worst enemies.

Now, one of the most common misconceptions about oily skin is to clarify and dry it out. It doesn’t work this way. In fact, you will find that the more you dry out oily skin, the more oil it produces and then you get really frustrated because you can’t seem to be doing anything right. All you have to do is cleanse, tone and moisturise daily AND exfoliate twice a week…with the right products, of course.

So, if you’re in need of a much better cleanser this summer — whether to remove make-up or get rid of excess sweat (which sometimes gets mistaken for oil), use Pre-Cleanse.

It’s an oil-based cleanser that can gently remove surface oil, dirt and even the toughest, most waterproof mascara. Hydrates your skin instantly and leaves no greasy residue at all.

Follow up with Special Cleansing Gel for a more refreshing and thorough cleansing. This cleanser is suitable for all skin types especially for summer as it does not strip away moisture.

But if your skin secretes excessive oil, then better use Dermal Clay Cleanser as it controls oil production without leaving your skin dry.

Remember to ALWAYS use toner afterwards to re-hydrate your skin. The Multi-Active Toner does the job perfectly and it also saves you from using a cotton ball or cotton pad as it’s a spray-on.

Simply spritz over the face and gently pat for a more refreshing effect. Ask your therapist which toner suits you best depending on your personal preference.

Moisturise with Active Moist, a lightweight oil free lotion that hydrates without leaving your skin feeling greasy.

At night I’d recommend you to apply Overnight Clearing Gel before you moisturise and apply it on the area where it easily gets congested.

Here are a few more products that you ought to get for maximum protection this summer. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Asian or Caucasian, you still have to protect your skin from the harsh sun.

Solar Defense Booster SPF30 is the easiest to use for daily wear. Use it alone or mix it with your favourite moisturiser and you’re good to go.

WaterBlock Solar Spray with SPF30 is perfect for sports fanatic as it maintains its water-resistant SPF protection for up to 8o minutes. Its easy-to-use spray on formula makes it ideal for kids. This is a great solar defense for all skin types.

However, for those who are prone to excess oil production, I highly recommend using Oil Free Matte Block with SPF20. Its special formula absorbs and controls oil production and prevents shine.

REMEMBER to always apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before you step out into the sun.

That’s it for now…hope this simple summer-survival skincare regime helps ease your skin stress!

Till next time!

– Jennifer, skin therapist

Tagged with: Active Moist • congested skin • Dermal Clay Cleanser • dermalogica • exfoliate • hong kong • moisturisers • Multi-active Toner • Oil Free Matte Block • oil-free moisturiser • oily skin • Overnight Clearing Gel • paul gerrard • Pre-cleanse • salon • Solar Defense Booster • Special Cleansing Gel • Spray-on sunblock • sunblock

Aug 05

August Promotion

Hong Kong, Skin Care No Comments »

Come on in and experience a transformation this August –sophisticated gel nails in an hour that last for 3 weeks!!!

GELeration manicure for $300 (Original price $350)

GELeration pedicure for $600 (Original price $650)

This promotion is valid until August 31st 2011.

Call us now on 28694408 or email info@paulgerrard.com to book your spot!

Tagged with: Geleration • manicure • nails • pedicure • promotion • soak-off gel

Aug 02

No more fake-looking nails!

Hair, Make-up, Skin Care No Comments »

Your ultimate 3-week manicure/pedicure is about to start as our new nail care products invade our salon. You’ve probably heard about it before and now you can experience it yourself!

Jessica GELeration ™ is indeed the new generation in the nail industry…a hybrid of gel and regular nail polish. It’s easily applied like a nail varnish but has the long-lasting strength of a gel. Normally when we mention “gel nails”, clients would automatically associate it with long hours in the salon and lots of nail drilling.

Well, this fantastic new nail polish, termed as the “Gel in a Bottle”, gets you out of the salon in about an hour with natural-looking, wonderfully-manicured (and pedicured) gel nails. Yes, no drilling involved.

Why we love it and why you ought to get it:

Quick nail session that lasts up to 3-4 weeks
Shaped to your natural nails giving you natural-looking nails
Flawless finish that maintains high gloss
The REAL non-chip polish
No smudging or fading
Expressive
Dries in seconds under the UV light
Easily soaked-off
Absolutely perfect for ladies on the go!

Still not convinced? Book an appointment now at 28694408 and we’ll take it from there!

Hope to see you soon!

Stephanie

Tagged with: gel in a bottle • gel nails • Geleration • high gloss • hong kong salon • long-lasting • manicure • natural-looking gel nails • non-chip polish • paul gerrard • pedicure • skincare • soak-off gel

May 17

Waxing Lyrical

Make-up No Comments »

By Martine
Wow! How the months have flown by since my last blog post. Christmas has come and gone. The New Year rolled in and Chinese New Year celebrations rolled out. There’s been a whole string of public holidays recently and the weather doesn’t seem to know if it’s coming or going!

So, over this last public holiday I was sitting sipping some lovely Sauvignon Blanc with a few girlfriends, as you do, and talk turned to hair, cosmetics and beauty products, as it does, and then waxing popped up!

Now before I go any further, here’s a couple of questions: how many of you ladies out there go for a regular waxing? And when you do, do you go for the total package and get legs, underarms and bikini region done? For many of us, it’s the norm.

Well one of my girlie-friends shared the fact that she’d had a very bad experience with waxing when she was in her late teens. One of her friends who was training to become a beauty therapist would use her mates for training on – I know, it doesn’t sound like it’s going to go well does it?

And it didn’t!

Apparently my friend, who will remain anonymous, had a couple of bad experiences with very hot wax. She wasn’t scarred or anything – well, not physically. But mentally, it left a mark. For her, waxing was sore and has remained an absolute no-no. Since ‘the experience’ she has only ever shaved.

Ok, that’s all fine and well when it comes to legs and armpits, but “what about downstairs” I asked her. “Oh, I shave there too” she said. Well, there was a simultaneous intake of breath from the group. “Really, but doesn’t that make the hair grow back really fast and also make it tougher?” And by the way, why is that?

According to her, she has to shave the bikini area every 3-4 days. I can only think, my god, what a palaver!

We chatted and drank more. And by the end of the night we had talked her into trying a bikini wax. The poor lamb, she sounded positively terrified about it when I spoke to her the day after! “No excuses” I said. “I’ve booked you an appointment and I’ll even take you there, wait for you and make sure all’s ok.” So I did.

And the upshot was that she couldn’t believe what she’d been afraid of for all this time. “It didn’t even hurt and it was so quick.” I told her she was “preaching to the converted.”

She’s been back for a second wax. Looks like she’s converted too.

What with summer just ‘round the corner and shorts and bikinis imminent, what are your thoughts on waxing? And which wax works best for you; the yummy honey-like stuff or the pink bubblegum-coloured option?

Tagged with: beauty products • beauty therapist • bikini • cosmetics • Hair • hong kong • legs • paul gerrard • salon • underarms • wax • waxing

Apr 21

Let’s FITE alongside Dermalogica

Hong Kong, Product, Skin Care 1 Comment »

Did you know that Dermalogica’s latest campaign is to FITE for marginalised women?

Yes, starting in January this year, the leading professional skin care industry launched FITE — Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship — a new global initiative that aims to encourage and assist marginalised women to start or grow a business through non-profit micro-loans.

Dermalogica has partnered with Kiva, the world’s non-profit online leader in micro-financing. For the next two years, their goal is to connect with and help at least 25,000 women entrepreneurs in more than 50 countries by providing access to capital that they otherwise would not have the slightest means to.

In a lot of ways, this concept was inspired by Jane Wurwand, Dermalogica’s founder, after her experience back in 1986 when she could not even get a $10,000 USD loan to start off her business. Once the brand took off, though, she has then facilitated a major change in the skin care industry and is behind the success of over 100,000 women who now own skin care businesses or work as professional skin therapists.

Since FITE was launched three months ago, Dermalogica has mobilised its tribe of successful women entrepreneurs worldwide to join this cause. Through that concerted effort, there are now over 1,500 new women entrepreneurs creating positive and sustainable changes in their communities.

The FITE project is an open platform where anybody can join. Indeed, the Oprah Magazine has recently unlocked a code and made a donation on its website www.joinFITE.org. And now it’s your turn. Keep that number rising!

All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Purchase any of Dermalogica’s 5 best selling FITE-themed products: Daily Microfoliant, PreCleanse, Skin Hydrating Booster, Total Eye Care and Intensive Eye Repair.

Dermalogica's 5 best-selling products

2. Visit www.joinFITE.org and enter the FITE code found inside the special sleeve.

3. For every code you redeem, Dermalogica will allocate $1.00 USD toward the microloan in the part of the world and for the type of business you wish to fund.

Spending money has never been better because it affords you the benefit of a healthy skin and helping a woman halfway across the world. At the same time. What’s more exciting is that you can track the ongoing activity of your specified entrepreneur, including the repayment of the loan.

Log on to www.joinFITE.org for more information.

Tagged with: dermalogica • empowering women • FITE • hong kong • Kiva • micro-loans • paul gerrard • salon • Skin Care • sustainable changes

Feb 02

Paul Gerrard Christmas Party pics

Hong Kong, Out in Hong Kong No Comments »

Here are just a handful of pictures for you that were taken at Rico’s at our Christmas party on January 8th. Unfortunately the incriminating photo’s that were taken in the wee hours have been censored for public viewing!!